PREVALENCE OF HYPERTENSION AND THEIR RISK FACTORS AMONG FACULTY MEMBERS OF TEACHING INSTITUTES OF AHMEDABAD CITY: THE HIDDEN BURDEN

Dr Jayna D Devalia; Dr Jatin D Chhaya; Dr Hitesh L Bhabhor; Dr Ullas H. Machhar

Volume : IV, Issue : III, March - 2015

PREVALENCE OF HYPERTENSION AND THEIR RISK FACTORS AMONG FACULTY MEMBERS OF TEACHING INSTITUTES OF AHMEDABAD CITY: THE HIDDEN BURDEN

Dr Jayna D Devalia, Dr Jatin D Chhaya, Dr Hitesh L Bhabhor, Dr Ullas H. Machhar

Abstract :

In the eyes� of their students, the school teachers are role models who �practice what they preach�. And well observed habits of teachers at the school are usually adapted by them on long term. In India, hypertension is the leading NCD risk and estimated to be attributable for nearly 10 per cent of all deaths. So, this study is carried out to know prevalence of hypertension and its risk factors among teachers. A total 576 teachers of Ahmedabad city were interviewed and examined using pre–tested questionnaire. 5.21% males in studied group were currently smoking while 12.15% males were consuming smokeless tobacco. Alcohol consumption was reported 15.90%. Overweight and obesity were more common among male faculty members. Hidden burden of hypertension among faculty members was around 11.45% among male and 10.76% among female. The findings of study suggest that the remarkable prevalence of risk factors of hypertension among faculty members calls for a sound public–health approach.